In the first season, we saw the titular Mrs. Maisel's picture-perfect 1950s world torn asunder. After her husband Joel leaves her—and admits to cheating on her—Midge is left to pick up the pieces. And one of those pieces turns out to be a budding career in stand-up comedy. This season, we rejoin Midge when she's fully committed to building a career in comedy—but with the exception of Joel, who found out in the worst way possible in last season's finale, her family and friends have yet to be informed of her new pursuit. This season, we'll see how long she can keep the secret.

What you know her from:

Brosnahan's breakout role was on House of Cards, in which she played a sex worker entangled with one the Underwoods' associates. She also starred in two seasons of WGN's Manhattan, and has had numerous turns on stage and the big screen. Soon, she'll begin working on the film Ironbark opposite Benedict Cumberbatch.

Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson

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Susie Myerson spent much of her time in season one trying to gin up Midge—but she's just as lost as a manager as Midge is as a comic. Now, she's finally convinced Midge that comedy is her calling, but the hard part has yet to come. Count on watching her continue to struggle through her newfound career path.

What you know her from:

Borstein is perhaps most famous for her role on Family Guy, portraying the long-suffering Lois Griffin. She's also appeared in Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West, and alongside George Clooney in Good Night, and Good Luck.Twenty-somethings may also remember Borstein for her role in The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and bit parts in Gilmore Girls.

Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman

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Abe Weissman was extremely satisfied with his life at the beginning of season one: he quickly landed his dream job at Bell Labs, and he had his dutiful wife Rose and loving daughter Midge around to keep him company. Of course, Midge's divorce tore a hole in that delicate tapestry. In season two, we'll see him try to learn and grow (or maybe just cope) with his new normal.

What you know him from:

Shalhoub will forever be identified with his iconic role in Monk, in which he played a lovable, obsessive-compulsive detective. But aside from that, Shalhoub has had an accomplished career on stage and screen, even picking up a Tony along the way. The best known movies he's appeared in are Men in Black I and II, the Coen brothers' The Man Who Wasn't There, and the Cars franchise, in which he voiced the character Luigi.

Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman

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In season one, Rose Weissman was sure she was doing everything right. She had an accomplished husband, a lovely home, and two well-married children. As with Abe's life, that all changed when Midge separated from Joel. Throughout that season, she continued to feel out of the loop, and perhaps even betrayed by those closest to her. In season two, we'll see her grapple with the ramifications of Abe and Midge's secrecy.

What you know her from:

Hinkle's most famous role was a 13-year run as Jon Cryer's wife on Two and a Half Men. You've also seen her in Homeland, Madam Secretary, and The Sarah Silverman Program. (And if you're a fan of plays, both on and off Broadway, you might've seen her there too).

Michael Zegen as Joel Maisel

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At the beginning of the show, it seems that Joel is being set up as the villain. (After all, what viewer would like the man that breaks Midge's heart?) But over the course of the season, it becomes clear that he's going to stay in Midge's life—whether as a friend and co-parent, or something more. In season two, we'll get a better idea of where the couple stands.

What you know him from:

Zegen earned his period acting stripes on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Other television roles include turns in The Walking Dead, Girls, and How to Make It in America. He's also appeared in several breakout indie films, such as Frances Ha, Brooklyn, and Adventureland.

Zachary Levi as Dr. Benjamin Ettenberg

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With Midge and Joel's relationship possibly coming to an end for good, it was only a matter of time until the show introduced a new love interest for our heroine. Enter Benjamin, a surly doctor who's looking for someone "weirder" than your average 1950s housewife.

What you know him from:

Levi is perhaps best-known for his five-season run as the leading man in NBC's Chuck. You might also recognize his voice from Tangled, in which he provided vocals for Flynn Rider.

Kevin Pollak as Moishe Maisel

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Joel's father Moishe Maisel epitomizes the hustler, the pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps type—and as such, he can be a bit much. (Just ask Abe Weissman.) In season two, we'll see him struggle to accept his son's growing role in the family business.

What you know him from:

Pollak appeared in a couple of hit films in the 90s—A Few Good Men and The Usual Suspects—and has continued to appear on the big and small screens since. Most recently, he played Bob Martindale in the Gary Hart biopic The Front Runner.

Caroline Aaron as Shirley Maisel

Like her husband Moishe, Shirley Maisel has not exactly endeared herself to the Weissmans. In season two, she'll continue to push buttons, much to our enjoyment.

What you know her from:

Though not a household name, Aaron has appeared in more than a few cult-favorite films: Edward Scissorhands, Sleepless in Seattle, and Crimes and Misdemeanors among them.

Luke Kirby as Lenny Bruce

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Lenny Bruce—an actual midcentury comedian, look him up—isn't in Maisel to have his own arc so much as to enable Midge's. To that end, expect Lenny to indoctrinate the budding comedienne further into the stand-up world in season two.

What you know him from:

Kirby has had recurring roles in several television shows of late, including in The Deuce, Rectify, and The Astronaut Wives Club. He's also appeared on the big screen, as in Take This Waltz opposite Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen.

Jane Lynch as Sophie Lennon

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In season one, Midge's onstage honesty quickly turns veteran comedian Sophie Lennon from possible mentor to definite enemy. Jane Lynch promises that in this sophomore season, Lennon will return with a vengeance in the final two episodes.

What you know her from:

Lynch has been acting for decades—even appearing in cult classics like Best in Show—but it took her breakout role in Glee to make her a household name.

Bailey De Young as Imogene Cleary

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Imogene Cleary seems to be the one friend Midge has hung on to from her old life. In season one, she spends much of her time consoling Midge, to varying degrees of success. This season, expect her ignorance of Midge's new career to come into play.

What you know her from:

De Young previously appeared in another show from writer Amy Sherman-Palladino, Bunheads. She also co-starred in MTV's Faking It during the series' three-season run.

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